^I didn't know the steel strands were able to slide in the plastic covering, but now that you mention it, I think I saw them poking out on my old housing. About your illustration: Yeah, that was what I was trying to say when I was rambling about the "flared end". Though I realize now that it's not the most descriptive word. But I really haven't the faintest clue where to look for something like that.

mcmahon: The problem is my cable stop doesn't have any narrow bits at either end, so if I try to use the housing alone it'll just pull right through.